1. Citing Sources – General

As a writer of academic papers, you must document any source of information which you use in your research papers, articles, presentations and any kind of scientific projects.

If you properly document the original works of other authors your ideas are based upon, it makes easy for the readers to see and consult the resources you used. Furthermore, accurate and proper quoting shall help you avoid plagiarism, which is considered a serious breach of academic conduct.

There are 3 methods of including other writer’s work into your paper. They are citing (quoting), paraphrasing and summarizing.

Citation should repeat the original text word-for-word and include a reference to the original writer of the source document.

Paraphrasing means retelling a passage of the original text using your own words and sentence structures. The author of the original must also be referenced.

Summarizing means reproducing only the most important ideas and main points of the source using your own words. It usually summarizes a larger statement in a form of a shorter explanation. However, the original source must be referenced, too.

When you have to incorporate other author’s ideas into your text, you should first decide which approach to use.

You should use direct citation in a situation when the exact wording of a passage is important, so that you can be sure you have reproduced the original accurately.

You might also use citation if the original statement is very well formulated and you feel it will enrich your writing.

Paraphrasing is widely used in research papers and argumentative essays, showing your supervisors you understand a source text well and may reformulate it and find and emphasize its main points. It also helps change the stylistic characteristics of your source, adapting it to the readers (for example, if you use it for a presentation of some scientific topic before your class) and omitting unnecessary details.

The purpose of a summary is similar to that of a paraphrasing, but it helps making a long text shorter, explaining a lengthy chapter, article or a book in a brief essay or even in a single paragraph.

There is a list of useful resources on citation and writing in general:

Slate: Citation Machine Online tool that creates MLA and APA citations instantly. This web tool was created by David Warlick of The Landmark Project on October 29, 2000 and is part of the Landmarks for Schools web site for teachers.

2. Citing Electronic Sources

Students often ask how to cite electronic (digitized) primary sources.

At present, students often access their sources using electronic means, because a large portion of information has become available in the electronic format. Using electronic or online sources is convenient, but you have to know how to cite them properly.

Due to the fact that different disciplines and fields of knowledge require different styles, no universal example for citing electronic sources can be provided. You should look for a particular style guideline used in your field (MLA, APA, Chicago Style etc.). They address citing electronic sources, too.

How to Cite Electronic Sources The Learning Page, Library of Congress, Washington, DC MLA and Turabian citation examples for Films, Legal Documents and Government Publications, Maps, Photographs, Recorded Sound, Special Presentations, and Texts. Includes links to Citation Guidelines.

3. APA Style (American Psychological Association)

Using a particular citing/formatting style can simplify the editors’ work because every author adheres to the same format, as well as make it easier for the audience to follow the author’s ideas because they are organized according to a familiar structure. Demonstrating that you know and follow the style requirements of your field will also make your work more credible and trusted.

APA Style is often used for citation and formatting in social sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Linguistics, Economics, Criminology, as well as the areas of Business and Nursing). It also deals with the overall writing style, content organization and preparation of a paper for publication, if needed.

Thus, we recommend having a look at their manual as well as other online sources.

4. MLA Style (Modern Language Association)

MLA Style of citation and formatting is widely used in the field of Art, Liberal Arts, and Humanities.

Its approach is to give a writer a universal formatting tool which can be applied to various kinds of sources (citing different kinds of sources, like research papers, articles, essays, government publications, newspapers, manuscripts, maps, charts, spoken interviews, sound recordings, web sites, films and illustrations and more). With the development of the Internet, texts may be found online in any format, and new designs and presentation forms are invented. That is why MLA offers a writer a number of general principles finding them more important than a rigid set of rules for every particular source.

MLA Documentation Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI General information about MLA parenthetical citations, Using the MLA abbreviation guidelines, Using the MLA quotation guidelines, Formatting MLA parenthetical citations, Create an MLA Works Cited Page, and Format the MLA Works Cited page. Includes a section on Numbered References.

MLA Online University of Houston Libraries Examples show the correct format for citing online sources in Modern Language Association (MLA) style.

Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Format The Purdue University Online Writing Lab, West Lafayette, IN Using APA format, Formatting in Sociology, Handling quotations in text, Works Cited list, Footnotes and Endnotes, Paper format.

5. CGOS Style – Columbia Guide to Online Style

A specialized style guide for citing and creating electronic sources. It is a a special manual that addresses the complications and peculiarities associated with online publishing and offers the rules of online citation to students, researchers and the wide public.

6. CBE Style – Council of Biology Editors

Used mostly to write research papers and cite sources within the Biology domain. Such works must always adhere to the requirements of Scientific Style and Format, following the rules of Scientific Writing.

CBE Documentation Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI Use the citation-sequence system, Create a CBE citation-sequence reference list, Use the name-year system, and Create a CBE name-year reference list.

8. Chicago Manual of Style / Turabian Style

Chicago Style and Turabian Style are also similar. They are designed be used first of all in history and economics.

Turabian Style is basically a modification of Chicago Style for the needs of students. It is used in history, literature, and arts. There is also a style used in the scientific field, in natural and social sciences. Turabian Style guide includes the notes and bibliography style and the author-date style.

The recent edition of Kate L. Turabian A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations is aligned with the newest Chicago Manual of Style to match its requirements.

9. Resumé Writing and Cover Letters

Preparing a good resume and cover letter is important for anyone seeking a job because if these documents are well-written, they help to create a good impression and get a desired positon.

A job applicant should be careful about the content and form of their CV and cover letter. They should use a particular wording and follow a specific structure and formatting requirements.

An efficient resume means a properly written one demonstrating your expertise and credentials and shall help you get an interview from a company.

While a resume highlights your experience and skills, a good cover letter is intended to demonstrate how your knowledge and experience match the position you are currently applying for, therefore it has to be specific and targeted.

The provided information, structure, language, tone and other details of a CV and cover letter should be carefully chosen to help you reach your goal. You might make use of the efficient resume samples and templates found below.

10. Writing – Grammar Guides

When writing on any assignment, it is critical to avoid grammar, stylistic, spelling and other kinds of mistakes and write properly and accurately. A text full of errors will create a poor impression, no matter how important and profound are the ideas it provides.

It is wise to start improving your style by consulting the classic book by William Strunk first.

The Elements of Style Fourth Edition by William Strunk, Jr. This classic book by William Strunk, Jr. on the Elements of Style includes: Elementary Rules of Usage, Elementary Principles of Composition, Words & Expressions Commonly Misused, An Approach to Style with a List of Reminders: Place yourself in the background, Revise and rewrite, Avoid fancy words, Be clear, Do not inject opinion, Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity, … and much more. See details of The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. online at Bartleby.com.

11. Writing – Research Guides

When it comes to writing a learning how to do a research paper, there are no quick fixes, or fill-in-the-blank templates that will allow you to complete your paper without investing a little time and effort. The key to any research essay is first learning how to effectively manage your time and organize your source material. In the proceeding paragraphs, you will find helpful information on How to Write a Good Research Paper. If you are looking for more detailed guidelines on writing a research paper, be sure to consult the books and manuals recommended further down in the article.

The key to any successful research paper is remembering to start as early as possible. If you are told early in the semester that you will have a research essay due eventually – don’t wait until the last possible moment to start. Take advantage of every day that you have available to you to pick your topic (if one is not assigned), carry out your research and develop your research paper outline. If you are not sure how to start a research paper, ask for guidance or research ideas online.

Remember, if you decide to wait until just before the paper is due to get started, you might have difficulty finding research material or you may find that other students have already picked your preferred topic. Not to mention the fact that a looming deadline, and a lack of finished paper, will ultimately result in unneeded stress.

Next you will want to select your topic – unless one has been provided to you. The best course of action is to select a topic that interests you, even if it seems complex or difficult. By choosing to work with a topic that you have a fond (or even a small) interest in, you are more likely to continue to be motivated to delve deeper into you research and will be able to engage more with your readers; something that is difficult to do when the subject matter is dry or mediocre. It will help add genuine value to your paper. While reading your writing, readers may often feel if the topic was interesting to you; if it was, that may make the readers more interested and expecting to find something valuable in your paper and thus continue reading.

Keep in mind that there will be times when you will be assigned topics that are unfamiliar to you. In these types of situations it is helpful to read up on the topic. Journals, encyclopedias, guidebooks and libraries are all excellent resources to find background material on just about every topic out there.

One of the most important things when learning how to write a paper is learning how to RESEARCH for the paper you are writing. Despite the widespread access to information, largely attributed to easy accessibility of the Internet, there are just as many non-credible sources as there are credible. The trick is learning how to differentiate between the two. One such way is to choose to use only verified sources like trade publications, scholarly articles, journals or books from the local library.

After you have concluded and organized your research, it is time to create an outline for research paper. The best way to start your outline is to draft your thesis statement. More often than not, the thesis statement is a single sentence opener – and the most important part of the entire paper. The thesis should present the entire idea of your paper. It lays the groundwork for everything that follows and presents your argument to the reader. You will want to make sure that it is clear, concise and to the point. Next, you will group your research notes into sections the correlate with the various aspects of your topic or argument. You might rearrange these several times until you find a format that seems the most logical.

After you’ve concluded your outline for your research paper, you will begin to actually write your paper. The first draft is simply an opportunity to get your ideas out there so don’t take too much time in worrying about grammar or syntax – just focus on getting the words on the paper. You will proofread, edit and rewrite later. Right now, your only concern is ensuring that you have found the most logical progressing for your argument and the corresponding supporting material.

Once you’ve finished your rough draft, read it over to ensure it reads as you would like it to. If you are satisfied, begin to correct any grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors you find and add text as needed. It might be helpful, at this stage, to have someone else read your paper just to give it a fresh perspective.

If you are satisfied, open your word processor to a blank page and type up your final version. You will want to be mindful of any specific spacing or formatting rules in the assignment details and make certain that you are also creating any supplementary pages that might be necessary. For example, a cover page.

Even if it has not been specifically requested, it is in good practice to ALWAYS include a works cited or reference page. This is where you will list every source that you’ve used in your research or cited in your paper, in order to not only credit the originating author but also to satisfy anti-plagiarism policies and guidelines. This is the point where it is better to be safe than sorry.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES ON HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PAPER

To write a research paper successfully, first thing you need is to know about the formal requirements and the general approach to academic writing you have to be familiar with. It is recommended to make your statement specific, definitive and clear and avoid using unnecessary informal elements. Writing a research paper might be tricky, so there is an extensive list of tips and instructions to follow.

QuickStudy: Library Research Guide University of Minnesota Libraries, St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN Learn How to Use the Library: Starting Your Research, Designing a Research Strategy, Find Books, Articles, Web Sites, Facts, Reviews, and More, Evaluating and Citing Sources, and Searching the MLA International Bibliography. Includes an Instructor’s Manual for QuickStudy.

A Student’s Guide to Research with the WWW Saint Louis University, MO Tutorial guide to conducting research on the WWW for first year college students. Anatomy of a Web page. Evaluating Web sources. Web page types. Web search strategies. Citing online sources. Glossary.

The Writers’ Workshop Department of English, Northern Illinois University. Students’ Resources include Editor’s Grammar and Mechanics, Quoting and Quotations, Citing Sources: The MLA Way, and Plagiarism: A MUST read. See also Tutors’ Resources, Instructors’ Resources, and Visitors’ Resources.

Need help in applying a proper style to your Research Paper? Click Here.